Israeli voters choose between Netanyahu and Eisenkot in tight race

Israeli voters cast ballots on Tuesday in a national election that marked the highest turnout in decades. The vote determines whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retains his position or if Gadi Eisenkot, a center-right former military chief of staff, takes over the leadership of the country.

The election follows the October 2023 Hamas-led attack and the subsequent wars in Gaza and other parts of the Middle East. Residents view this ballot as a decisive moment for the nation's direction. Netanyahu has served as prime minister for nearly two decades across multiple tenures.

Voting concluded at 10 p.m. local time. Early exit polls indicate a tight contest between the two main blocs. Netanyahu’s Likud Party appears to have secured the most individual seats, with Eisenkot’s Yashar party finishing second. However, no single party won an outright majority in the 120-seat Knesset.

Preliminary results broadcast on Israeli television suggest the opposition bloc holds a slight advantage. Three major exit polls place Eisenkot’s four-party alliance at 52 seats, while Netanyahu’s governing coalition stands at 50. The final tally may not be confirmed until Wednesday, and if no bloc wins a clear majority, party leaders will spend days or weeks negotiating a coalition.

Shira Efron, an analyst at the Rand Corporation, told NPR that the preliminary results represent a strong outcome for Eisenkot. She stated that he is the most likely candidate to receive the mandate from the president to form a government. Efron noted he may attempt to form a minority government or seek an alliance with Arab politicians.

Voters expressed strong opinions at the polls. Naama Aaronsohn, a voter, told reporters that the election is more than just important, calling it crucial for the country’s future. She expressed worry about what happens without major change. In contrast, Itamar Ariel said his vote is based on security concerns, stating that while problems exist, no one can replace Netanyahu. Nur Abu Na, a 30-year-old nurse, described the current government as racist against Arab citizens and emphasized the importance of her community voting.

President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Netanyahu before the vote. The two leaders plan to launch major attacks against Iran after the Israeli and U.S. midterm elections, following previous joint conflicts in June 2025 and February 2026. Netanyahu posted on social media during the day, urging his right-wing supporters to vote and noting the high number of Arab citizens participating.